i am mommy

Christmas Hangover

2009-12-29T19:50:23-06:00

I dont know about you, but I have sorta eaten a lot in the last few weeks. And when I say a lot, I mean a lot.

Not only have I eaten like its going out of style, but I have let the kids diets slide as well... not saying no when grandma offers them a cookie. (or eight) Letting them eat all of their bread and none of their veggies at Christmas dinners... not taking away the sweet treats and candy gifts people are so generous with during the Holidays.

So I knew I needed to give them some super foods... something to get their little gastrointestinal system back on track.

Bring on the smoothies.

My kids love smoothies.

And for the record, I do to.

I am going to share with you my super powered, body healing, stomach soothing, palate pleasing turbo smoothie.

You will need:

1 large banana peeled

2-4 Kale leaves

1/2 to 1 cup of spinach

1 cup frozen blueberries

1 cup water

*my super special secret ingredient

You'd think now, on the ingredient list, would be the time to reveal the super special secret ingredient.

Well, I have never been good at following rules.

Here's how you make it.

Grab your cup of frozen blueberries. I just buy a ton during the summer when they have them 'buy one get one free' at the grocery store and throw them in the freezer.

Put blueberries in your blender. Add one cup of water.

Add banana. Blend well.

Add kale. I pull all of the leaves off the stem first... the stem is extremely bitter.

Add spinach. Fresh baby spinach works good too.

Blend everything together really well. On my blender, which was manufacture in 1979 I kid you not, I have to blend it for about 3 minutes.

Now, taste it.

Is it perfect? Then you have done well my friend and have no need of my super secret ingredient.

Is it slightly bitter?

Then you might want to try this.

Is that a super fun secret ingredient or what??? If you can find organic even better. I would add no more then 1 teaspoon, but start with 1/2 teaspoon and see how it goes.

Now, sometimes I get really, really bitter kale. Usually the banana cuts most of the bitterness, but when it doesn't, I just add a teaspoon of this.

But most of the time the sugar is not necessary.

Now, why a blueberry, kale, spinach, banana smoothie?

1. It tastes good.

2. Blueberries are loaded with antioxidants and rate highest among other fruits and vegetables in their capacity to destroy free radicals.

3. Bananas are awesome. If you would like some more technical terms go here.

3. Kale is in season in the winter, and appears to be able to lessen the occurrence of a wide variety of cancers, including breast and ovarian cancers. New research is revealing that phytonutrients in crucifers, such as kale, work at a much deeper level. These compounds actually signal our genes to increase production of enzymes involved in detoxification, the cleansing process through which our bodies eliminate harmful compounds.

Talk about body cleansing. (for more info on kale click here)

4. Spinach rocks. Just ask Popeye. Calorie for calorie spinach provides more nutrients than any other food. Feeling sluggish from all those cookies? I promise some spinach will give you back some energy!

5. There is no number five but I felt weird leaving it at four.

Let me know if you try it, or if you are already a super smoothie drinking momma.

If you are, why have we not discussed this sooner? I need details girl! :)

They Actually Let Me In The Building

2009-12-28T11:32:36-06:00

I'm so excited to share with you the 'behind the scenes' of my interview and cooking segment on Fox 9. I have never been in a television studio and it was just as exciting as you would expect!

Well. If you are a stay at home mom who doesnt get out much and is easily impressed.

When I arrived I walked into the studio where Karen Scullin was live reporting the news. She was great!

I'm sorry these are so blurry... the sweet gal offered to take a picture and I forgot to tell her how to use my camera... so you can see that wall behind Karen is crystal clear! ;)

I sat down almost immediately and had my interview... I had no idea what it was about until about 27 seconds before it began.

This was my new best friend Dana's spot...she got me my microphone and told me to relax (I think she could sense my nervousness) and that it would all be just fine!

After the interview we went over to the 'kitchen' and I got all set up!

Very nice and helpful Ricky took this picture before we started. (There is the Rainbow cake I forgot to get a picture of!) The kids and DH were in the studio the whole time and were little angels!! Having them there meant so much to me!

Here is Karen and I during the actual taping... Ricky had told me to pretend I was standing in my kitchen talking to my best friend about cooking. So, thats what I did!

Sorry this is so blurry and that I have alien eyes, but I was so happy when it was all over I was even willing to post for the camera!

So if you feel so inclined, go ahead and check out the segment *here...and if you want to see all of the things I baked stop by i am baker.

And thanks for all the encouragement and support! You guys are AMAZING!!

*Oh yeah. I dont actually have a link to send you too, as their site has not been updated since before Christmas. But I couldnt wait any longer to share the pictures! Check back when you can because the moment it goes up, I will post the link here!

Things Successful Bloggers Do

2009-12-25T19:32:15-06:00

Are you ready for installment eight of Things Successful Bloggers Do??

Lets Re-Cap

1. Have a life outside their blog

2. Don't beat a dead horse

3. Go to Blogher

4. Have lots of readers

5. Seem to have it all

6. Swear

7. Make Money

Alright.

Picture it.

Its 4:30 in the afternoon and you have to run to Target to get a few things. You throw on the kids winter coats over their jammies (because you never changed them out of their pajamas's today), grab your jeans out of the laundry, put on your hubbies oversized faded college sweatshirt, and head out the door.

At Target you grab the items you need, which may or may not include a Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 3 DVD, some vagasil (for the babies diaper rash of course) and a package of double stuff Oreos that you are eating from as you walk through the store.

All of a sudden someone taps you on the shoulder.

"Um, excuse me... I know this is awkward, but aren't you Amanda? From that mommy blog? I think my neighbor reads you!"

As you nervously start flattening out your hair and sucking black Oreo remnants from your teeth and glancing down at your shirt to make sure there are no visible stains you stammer, "Uh, yes, well, uh, you mean "i am mommy"? Uh, yes, thats me!"

Now. This has never happened to me. (well, the getting noticed part that is)

Which leads us to number eight on our list of

Things Successful Bloggers Do That I Do Not Do

8. Getting Recognized

Thats right. When you get famous enough through blogging, people recognize you when you go out.

At least, I have heard that they do.

I dont actually know from experience or anything.

Blogging is such a unique form of communication!

When we blog, we talk about our families, our day to day lives, our hopes, our disappointments, our friends and our pets. And when you have 'readers', those folks know you. And often times, they look at your picture every single time they pull up your blog!

There is a familiarity from a weekly or daily interaction, from leaving comments, from laughing and crying along with out favorite bloggers when life throws them a curve ball or impossible fast ball that they knock out of the park.

It should be a natural extension of blogging to want to meet in person and to bring those relationships to the next level. Shouldn't it?

When you get famous enough at blogging, and people do recognize you, is that a wonderful interruption in an otherwise ordinary life, or would it be awkward and uncomfortable?

And what if you are the one doing the recognizing... do you stop and say hi or maybe leave a comment when you get home?

OR do you send them a twitter, let them know you are standing three aisles over at the grocery store, and would it be ok to come and say hi?

That might be weird.

But in this day and age, not completely out of the question!

Where do you stand? Have you ever seen a famous blogger in real life? Would you approach them if there was an opportunity?

Have you ever been 'recognized'?

Its a Blogging Christmas Miracle!

2009-12-21T21:22:49-06:00

What is the cutest thing in this picture?

Yes. The hat. (wink)

Just look at those hats.

Soft, warm, handmade hats.

That fit my kids perfectly.

That I love and adore.

That I have no idea where they came from nor who lovingly made them.

They just showed up in the mail with the words, "Christmas Blessing" on the envelope.

I would say that's pretty accurate.

So, dear sweet generous maker of these wonderful hats, thank you.

Thank you!

Thank you.

You blessed my family... and you blessed my heart.

We Party Like Rock Stars. Rocks Stars in their 80's That Is.

2009-12-20T22:20:13-06:00

This weekend has been SOOOOOO much fun!

There is just nothing better then good food and good friends... did I mention good food?

Yes. Yes I did.

cream cheese covered in finely diced onion, bbq sauce, chopped tomatoes, cheddar and fresh bacon bits

peppered bacon wrapped jalapeno's stuffed with cream cheese and sun dried tomatoes (just before popping them into a hot, hot oven)

sliders with buffalo meat

and lots more...

but I sorta was stuffing my face and that makes it hard to take pictures.

We had cake... check i am baker for more pictures...

but the best part of the day was this girl.

I put a cupcake in her hands and this is what we saw for five minutes.

She did not move.

Her face was attached to that cupcake.

We heard the occasional sucking sound so we knew she was ok.

She had so much fun!

One of my favorite shots of the day... cousin Leah resting that beautiful preggers belly of hers..

I had such a wonderful time at the party... I hope all of our guests did as well!!... thanks for all the fun guys!

From Your Lips

2009-12-18T21:13:23-06:00

Well, seeing as it seems I dont have much to say lately, why not stop by and see what ya'all are saying about me?

From Captains Daughter to Army Mom

Mommy Topics

Deas Blog

Six Bricks High

The National Cookie Network

Megster Meter

Cant wait to show you pictures of how Audreys party preparation went... the cake is... well... you'll just have to stop back and see it! ;)

What a Precious Person You've Become

2009-12-15T21:40:38-06:00

I had to share this picture for a couple of reasons...

...I really miss sand in your toes weather

and

... the owner of these toes is celebrating a birthday this week!

Got me to thinking... is the first birthday the best? or the worst? (for the parents that is)

And just why is that first birthday so bittersweet?

This Saturday is Audrey's big day... so I am busy making plans and menu's (only appetizers, we are going casual) and cleaning my poor, sad, laundry ridden house.

What are your plans for the last weekend before Christmas? Is it crunch time or are you totally organized and right on schedule?

What Happened to Christmas?

2009-12-14T09:47:58-06:00

This holiday season started out odd for me... with the berserk weather we've had in the mid-west, we never really had a fall, much less decorated for one.

Didn't put up any of our blanched corn husks, nor put out the pumpkins that we grew or were given... I didn't begin fall with the energized stride it normally inspires in me.

And now Christmas is almost upon us, and there is no home adorned with beautiful seasonal cheer... just a hasty meager tree that I felt forced to put up so the kids would have something. A trivial little tree that I let the kids decorate from top to bottom. That Audrey has pulled over on herself twice. (It weighs next to nothing)

Yeah, that should be fun to untangle. ;)

It just doesn't feel like Christmas.

It seems like its just me.

I think one of the reasons I have grown to love this season is the excitement that is in the air. You can just feel the energy.

Everywhere I look people are bustling around, preparing and anticipating.

Anticipating entertaining and giving gifts and receiving gifts and eating wonderful meals and sitting in front of a tree sipping cocoa or egg nog or a nice Pinot Grigio.

I have yet to feel that. We decided not to do any gifts this year... not even for our kids. And although I know that is not what Christmas is about, I realized how caught up I am in that aspect of it.

I have been trying to teach my kids about the true meaning of Christmas since they were born, but I have to admit, part of me really looked forward to lavishing others with the perfect gift! And of course, its always fun to get presents!

The truth is, I have forgotten Christ in Christmas.

I came across this acronym from Hank Hanegraaff of the Christian Research Institute and wanted to share it, as it is really speaking to my heart. To read the full acronym, please click here.

The first line alone inspires hope in me.

C, the first letter in Christmas, stands for the person who alone gives any day eternal significance: Christ our Lord. It is easy to shove Christ aside on this holiday, but we should celebrate the birth of Jesus, whose very name means “the Lord is salvation” and whose title, “Christ,” points to His role as the Redeemer of humankind. If Jesus is not Christ in your life, celebrating the birth of an obscure Jewish carpenter’s son is meaningless to you.

H stands for history. The birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are not myths or fantasy, but are historical realities.

R stands for rejoice, an appropriate response in recognition of what Christ has done.

I stands for the Incarnation, describing that glorious event in which God became man.

S stands for St. Nicholas, the fourth century bishop of Myra, a Christian whose story — embellished by years of telling — nevertheless exemplifies Christian faithfulness and charity. Christmas should remind us of the faithfulness of God, without which we have no hope of redemption through His greatest gift, His Son (John 3:16).

T stands for tradition, the stories and customs associated with Christmas.

M stands for the magi, or wise men, directed by God to find and worship Christ. We shouldn’t forget that no one is wealthy enough, powerful enough, or far enough away that he or she should not bow before Jesus Christ, the King of kings and Lord of lords (1 Tim. 6:15).

A stands for advent, a word referring to Christ's coming. Christ came once in Bethlehem — as an infant who grew to manhood, died for our sins, and rose again the third day. Christians eagerly look forward to His Second Coming — “the blessed hope” (Titus 2:13).

S stands for salvation, made possible by the coming of Christ. The gospel story is so simple we often forget it, but so profound it affects every individual. We are all sinners, separated from God, with absolutely no way to reach God except He reached down to us through His Son. With the coming of Christmas comes recognition that because He came, He died, and because He died and lives again, we also may live (Rom. 6:8; 8:11).

Christmas is not primarily a celebration of human life, although each human life is valuable; not primarily a celebration of peace and love, although peace and love are noble. The center and circumference of Christmas should be the celebration of the birth of our Lord: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

This meant a lot to me... I hope it will resonate with you as well.

Don't Let This Happen To You.

2009-12-11T20:28:25-06:00

Its ok, its ok, I know.

I have been there. When I was first married I did not even know how to turn on the oven. But a little youtube and hunger go a long way in the teaching department.

So, in honor of everyone out there who burns toast and forgets at add cheese to lasagna and says that scrambled eggs are their favorite only because that's the only way they can make them... this is for you.

I want YOU to shine this holiday season.

I am going to share my favorite sugar cookie recipes of all time. I have made lots. I know what works and trust me on this one, this is by far the best sugar cookie recipe ever.

If you make this, people will be asking you for your recipe and they will be trying to sneak just one more.

I will also share my no fail sugar cookie icing recipe.

BONUS: I am also going to give you a secret tip in how to make beautifully decorated cookies.

Amanda's Amazing Sugar Cookies

1-½ cup Butter (I Use Unsalted)
2 cups Sugar
2 whole Eggs
2 whole Eggs Yolks
4 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
2 teaspoons Almond Extract
4 cups All-purpose Flour
1 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Baking Powder

In a mixer, beat butter and sugar until well combined, about 2 minutes.

Add in 2 eggs and 2 egg yolks and mix until combined.

Add in vanilla and almond extract; mix until combined.

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. Slowly (about a cup at a time) add flour to butter mixture and combine. You can use a mixer or not, just depends on how strong you are.

I usually just mix ingredients until they are combined, as I have heard that if you over-mix this dough it will get tough.

Put dough in some Saran wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. When you are ready to bake, heat oven to 350 degrees. Roll dough out, cut out cookies, and bake for 6-8 minutes.

Amanda's Awesome Icing

1 cup Confectioners Sugar (powder Sugar)
1 Tablespoon Milk
1 drop Lemon Juice (fresh Or Processed)
1 Tablespoon Light Corn Syrup

Combine powder sugar, corn syrup, and lemon juice in a bowl.

******This next step is important!******If you need a thicker frosting, say for outlining your cookies, add LESS milk.

Just a drop at a time. If you have already outlined your cookies and need a to fill in or ’spill’ your cookies, you can add more milk (as much as you would need) to make your frosting very runny.

If you are using food coloring, be sure to use LESS milk. Most food colorings are liquid and can make your frosting more runny. If you are using a gel food coloring, your milk quantity can remain the same.

If you want to add different flavors, you can add drops of vanilla extract, almond extract, lemon, etc. to flavor your frosting.

If you want more SHINE, use more corn syrup and less milk. This frosting will stay good for days in the fridge.

Now... would you like to do this?

or this?

Its easy.

(please say the next sentence in your head without pausing just to get the full effect) Really and truly I cannot tell a lie I promise you from the bottom of my heart you can do this and you can do this well it really is easy.

Its just dots.

Get a zip lock bag, put some icing into it, cut off the tiniest tip possible from the corner of the bag and just put some dots on your cookie.

Do any design you want... I promise it will look good. Do a cross or a tree or a word or just outline the cookie in dots.

That is one of my favorite tricks! Dots. Lots and lots of dots.

Click here for some ideas or inspiration.

Go forth and conquer!

Why Comment on Blogs?

2009-12-10T18:59:22-06:00

Cause you get to meet awesome ladies like this thats why. Read on dear friend.

***

I want to talk about four really neat ladies (I just wanted to feature four at a time) who have made such a positive impact on not only my blog, but in my life.

Their encouragement and support is to be commended, because I certainly do not make it easy for people to be in constant support of my crazy ideas and antics and off the wall humor.

I mean really, its not easy finding new ways to say, "Your kids are so cute"...

They find a way. So, not only am I going to feature them, I want to highlight a post of theirs that has either got me laughing hysterically, ripped my heart out only to mend it back together with the threads of hope and faith, or that I think was just plain super neat.

***

Meet Michelle from 3 Boys and a Girl.

When I read this post of Michelle's I tried to convince myself that it would never happen to my boys. But apparently there is a gene for this. Or something.

And I love how at the end of a very long day, Michelle knows who the give the praise to.

***

I've had a great time getting to know Kristin from Bits and Pieces From My Life.

She was one of the first bloggers I met who did not have Word Verification and I vowed from that moment on to be her faithful follower. Man I get annoyed by word verification. Just sayin.

This page of Kristins blog is perfection. She writes SO beautifully, and the way this page is designed, the beautiful colors and fonts and peeks into her life... I DROOL over this page. Seriously. Perfection.

***

Someone fairly new to the mix is Denise. She is mommy, wife, dreamer, writer, just to name a few.

She has a daughter named Sea and a son named Story. How cool is that? Denise is on a mission to blog every single day of the year.

She hangs out with Bono. With guys who write TV series, like "White Color". But mostly, and often most importantly, with her kids.

***

Listen. I've sorta been reading a lot of food blogs lately. It's mainly because I have sorta been eating a lot lately. And when I say "lately" I mean always.

But Sweet Jessica's blog has made my life so much sweeter with her wonderful recipes and 'I'm totally gonna laugh some calories off' sense of humor.

Bacon Wrapped Scallops.

Cookie Dough Truffles.

Pizza Dip.

Nuff said.

Oh wait. One more thing. Jessica posts recipe after recipe of mouth watering, succulent, savory, and sweet creations... and she looks like this.

Yeah.

***

So if you are in the mood to laugh or cry or reflect or be inspired or make new friends or just make something fabulous, stop by and say to a couple of my favorite people.